Enlightened?

When thinking of remodeling, most people overlook lighting. Many people think there's no reason to invest in good lighting in lieu of buying furniture. While lighting can be expensive, it should only be on average 10% of a total project's budget...and can transform a good remodel into a great one.

One of the most innovative items I've used is an adaptor that turns a recessed light into a pendant and is available from Ballard Designs www.ballarddesigns.com/lighting/pendant-light-adaptor/  . This can make a boring light in a bathroom a beautiful focal point, saving the homeowner the cost of an electrician. The best part is that it is reversible. If you get tired of the look, just remove it!

There are several styles available, even adaptors that plug in to a ceiling socket. Think of how this could update the look of a kitchen if placed over an island. I've used them in several client projects and the photos below are just one example.

This was just a recessed light above a kitchen sink and is now a beautiful pendant light, all by just unscrewing a lightbulb, placing the adaptor into the socket, adjusting the length of the cord and securing the finishing plate that covers everything.

I encourage you to go out there and do some research about new products on the market. You don't have to have plans to remodel in order to benefit from some of the wonderful products now offered. You might be surprised at how easy it is to update a room!